Aero-vehicle body.



T. B. SLATE.

AERO VEHICLE BODY.

APPLICATION FILED Nov.25. I916.

Patented Sept. 4, 1917.

affoxucq wit'neoo i of the to by the passengers.

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to displace this air THOMAS B. SLATE, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, AssIeivon r0 AMERI- CAN MECHANICAL IMPROVEMENT COMPANY, OF WASHINGTQN, DISTRICT CO- AEBO-VEHIGLE BODY.

I Patented Sept. 4i, 11am.

Application filed November 25, 1916. Serial No. 133,368. r

To all whom it may concern: Be it known that I, THOMAS B. SLATE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Washington, in the District of Columbia, have invented new and useful Improvements in Aero-Vehicle Bodies, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to the design and constructionof a body for aeroplanes, aerosleds, or any other kind of an propelled vehicles. The main object of my invention is to displace the air to allow the passage of the body of the machine in the most eiiicient manner, the value of which will be better understood by taking into consideration that the displacement of air by the passing of a body of any considerable size creates an air pressure on the sides, top

body to which the air 1s displaced. This s a natural consequence from the fact that the body moves so rapidly that the air does not have time to move to any considerable distance from the machine, and to the fact that the air is pneumatic and will compress suflicient to allow of displacement, the surrounding air holding thi pressed form immediately surrounding the ody of the machine. This being true, the ob ect of my invention is to put the greater portion of this displacement underneath the machine for the various purposes hereafter mentioned, for the following reasons: First, because the power orforce necessary to the bottom of the machine naturally has a lifting tendency on the machine. Second, because the pressure exerted by the air afterbeing forced to the bottom of the machine sure on the bottom of the machine until it has passed over it, continuing its lifting ppwer until the machine has completely passed it. Third, because the pressureon the top of the machine by this method is very much relieved, leaving nothing but the actual weight, of the machine to counteract the pressure on the bottom of the machine. Fourth, because it relieves the extreme air pressures caused by the high speed of aeroplanes, in that portion of the body occupied I attain these objects by the mechanism or bottom body of remams as air presb illustrated in the in which- Figure 1 is a side elevation; and Fig. 2 is a front end view.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, 1 designates a displacin'g member having a declining S-shape, as shown in Fig. 1, and adapted to force the air from the extreme top of the front end of the machine to the extreme bottom and a few feet back, the top being .of such height as to substantially protect the occupants of the aero-vehicle body from the force of the air through which they are passing. Member 1 is substantially attached to the body of the 'aero-vehicle or may be a part thereof. 2 designates an extension of the side walls or fin extending in front of a portion of the displacing member 1 for the purpose of diverting the displaced air into a downward position and preventing the air from going to the sides of the machine and creating side pressure on the the machine which would be of no value so far as carrying capacity is concerned. A bracket 3 carries the front bearing of the propeller shaft. A propeller shaft 5 extends through propeller shaft cates an enlargement of the body from the front back toward the middle or passenger carrying portion of the body, which can be increased or diminished by increasing or diminishing the width of displaclng mem- 'My invention operates to divert the displacement of air to the bottom of the machine for the purpose of increasing carrying capacity and to relieve the air pressures on the top and sides of the machine, thereby further increasing the carrying capacity, and relieving the of these pressures, which are uncomfortable when traveling at a high rate of speed. Side wall extensions 2 .operate to confine the displacementof the air in a downward direction, forcing it to follow the direction of member 1 from the top to the bottom of the occupants of the machine.

accompanying drawings,

machine, the whole operation exerting lifting power on the machine, thereby realizing a considerable value from the power necessary to displace this air. The declining S-shape of the deflector is especially designed to divert the air from the extreme top of the machine in a downward direction with a lifting tendency during the whole of the displacement from top to bottom.

What I claim is:

, 1. The combination of an aeroplane body for heavier than-air machines, a displacing member forming the front wall of the body, and side wall extensions projecting in front of and beyond the displacing member, whereby to displace the air from directly in front of the machine in a downward direction to the bottom of the machine.

2.1. In an aeroplane body for heavier-thanair machines, an aeroplane body, a declining S-shaped displacing member forming the front wall of'the body, the aeroplane body and side wall extensions projecting in front of and beyond the displacing member,

whereby to divert the air from directly in front of the machine in a downward direction to the bottom of the machine with as little resistance to the momentum of the machine as possible and converting the resist- I an'ce into a lifting force 'on the body.

3. An aeroplane body for heavier-than-air machines having a declining S-shaped displacing member, the upper end of said member being disposed approximately at the forthin 4. An aero-vehicle body having'itsjdb of. V

such height as to substantially protect" the occupants from passing air and having a de- THOMAS B. SLATE.

clining S-shaped displacing member, said 

